Unsung heroes

Recently, a letter writer sought to remind us of an unsung hero, one Mr. Stevenson who gave his life last year in rescuing two workers trapped underground with poisonous gas. He felt that some form of recognition or national award should have been given posthumously. He also cited the case of the two Amerindian girls who trekked through the forest for days to safety. I must confess that I too had forgotten the incidents.

Without belittling the courage of those persons, I recall similar acts of bravery in a young man last January whilst on his way to work (in Alexander Village) who jumped the fence and entered a house on fire to rescue all but one of the families he had not even known. And more recently the young footballer that created history in his marathon run from G/town to Linden all to highlight the awareness of the H.I.V programme.

I wish to redefine heroes to expand it to include acts or deeds of kindness. Popular Talk Show Host Larry King has a web site for heroes who are selected from contributions received. The latest was a young man from the Philippines who was identified as a hero for the day for his work with impoverished children in the Philippines.

Everyday knowingly or unknowingly, we bump into all sorts of unsung heroes. Some, who have made a difference in peoples lives, others an act of kindness remembered and never forgotten – a simple act but so meaningful to the recipient that it cannot be measured in monetary terms.

And what about those other unsung heroes whose eulogies and tributes we recite which the dead never ever heard in his or her lifetime. As we observe the season of lent let us recall the most unsung hero a man named Jesus who became the sacrificial lamb for the redemption of our sins. Yet when the fasting and prayers are over “Do we really remember”.